Driven To You

Chapter 3

The morning of the first practice sessions dawned bright and early, the sun rising over the Albert Park Circuit, casting a golden glow over the paddock. Lisa and Rosé arrive at the circuit, ready to face the day's challenges.

Rosé, ever the playful one, couldn't resist teasing Lisa once again as they exited the car. "So, are you still thinking about that pretty stranger from yesterday?" she asked, a mischievous grin on her face.

Lisa chuckled, shaking her head. "As much as I'd love to see her again, I've got my mind focused on today's sessions," she replied with a smirk, her eyes twinkling with determination.

They walked over to the paddock entrance, where crowds of fans had already gathered, eager to catch a glimpse of the new Red Bull drivers. Lisa and Rosé took a few moments to sign autographs and take pictures with the fans this time, sharing their excitement about the upcoming sessions. The energy was rising, with both drivers feeding off the enthusiasm of the crowd.

Entering the paddock, they were greeted warmly by their team. They could sense that the atmosphere in the Red Bull garage was filled with focused energy, as everyone prepared for the first official practice of the season. Lisa and Rosé, now fully in their element, changed out of their casual team gear and into their race suits, the familiar attire adding to their sense of readiness.

Before they headed out, Rosé pulled out her phone and grinned at her best friend, gesturing to her to come over. "Come on, let's mark the occasion," she said, pulling Lisa close for a selfie. They smiled for the camera, and Rosé quickly posted the picture on social media with the caption, "First day on the job."

With the clock ticking closer to the session start, they donned their helmets and settled into the cockpits of their cars. The atmosphere suddenly shifted into an intense focus as they checked their radios, fastened their seatbelts, and ensured everything was in perfect working order. The crew worked efficiently, removing wheel covers and detangling the cables that had been connected to the cars.

The front man stood at the garage entrance, scanning the pit lane. Once he signaled that the lane was clear, Lisa was the first to drive out, followed closely by Rosé. As the lights at the end of the pit lane turned green, both drivers accelerated, the roar of their engines echoing through the circuit. The thrill of the moment surging through them as they embarked on their first flying laps, eager to make their mark in their debut Formula 1 season.

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As the first practice session unfolded, the Mercedes garage was a hive full of activity, with engineers monitoring data and strategists discussing potential improvements. Jungkook Jeon, the six-time world champion was out on the track, his driving style a blend of aggression and precision that had brought him numerous victories. With Jennie Kim as his new race engineer, and her being the team principal's daughter, he was determined to defend his title even harder now that the Red Bulls have a stronger lineup this season.

Jungkook raced down the track, his voice crackled over the radio, breaking through the steady hum of the engine.

"How's the balance?" he asked, his tone focused but laced with mild frustration. "The rear feels a bit unstable through Turns 5 and 6."

Jennie, seated at the pit wall with her eyes glued to the data on her screen, didn't miss a beat. "Copy that," she responded, her voice calm yet decisive. "We're seeing a bit of oversteer in those sections. We'll make some adjustments to the rear wing angle on your next pit."

A brief pause lingered before Jungkook came back on the radio. "Understood," he said, his concentration unwavering. "What's my delta to the leaders?"

Jennie quickly scanned the timing charts. "Running P2," she replied smoothly, "about a tenth behind Manoban from Red Bull. She's been quick through the technical sections, especially the chicanes."